on December 9, 2012 7:20 PM

Photo: Gabriel Bouys, AFP / Getty Images

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The coming Oscar race could pit FDR against Lincoln, both competing with Alfred Hitchcock for best actor honors. That would be, respectively, Bill Murray, Daniel Day-Lewis and Anthony Hopkins losing themselves in their larger-than-life roles.

For a movie year that started sluggishly, it sure has picked up. Fall favorites “Cloud Atlas” and “The Master” have been replaced by robust contenders such as “Lincoln” and “Life of Pi.”

So many men have turned in astonishing performances it is difficult to narrow the actor categories to five each. Nominees in the actress division are being chosen from a smaller pool.

Many will be receiving their first nomination. But Day-Lewis, Denzel Washington and Sally Field each could be chasing a third Oscar, which would put them in rarefied company.

Academy Award nominations will be announced Jan. 10. Click through to see the leading contenders in the top categories.

The coming Oscar race could pit FDR against Lincoln, both competing with Alfred Hitchcock for best actor honors. That would be, respectively, Bill Murray, Daniel Day-Lewis and Anthony Hopkins losing themselves

A hard category to predict because the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, in the interest of broader representation, keeps fiddling with the rules. Academy voters are now asked to rank their preferences. The number of eventual nominees — minimum of five, max of 10 — is determined by how many movies are listed first on ballots. So here are my five picks (in alphabetical order) and a couple more in case the number inflates

And don't forget ... Best actor contender, Richard Gere in “Arbitrage”: A star for 35 years, he has yet to be nominated for an Oscar, although he has done Oscar-caliber work. His latest, as a Wall Street tycoon, may be his best performance.

And don't forget ... Best actor contender, Richard Gere in “Arbitrage”: A star for 35 years, he has yet to be nominated for an Oscar, although he has done Oscar-caliber work. His latest, as a Wall Street

Best supporting actor contender, Philip Seymour Hoffman in “The Master”: Why would an actor who plays a title character and is given most of the major speeches be considered for a “supporting” category. In this case, it’s all about not wanting him competing with Joaquin Phoenix (left).

Best supporting actor contender, Philip Seymour Hoffman in “The Master”: Why would an actor who plays a title character and is given most of the major speeches be considered for a “supporting” category.

Best supporting actor contender, Tommy Lee Jones in “Lincoln”: The wear and tear of his mission is reflected in the actor’s craggy face as he sinks into the role of abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. All the accolades for the movie should enhance his chances for a nod.

Best supporting actor contender, Tommy Lee Jones in “Lincoln”: The wear and tear of his mission is reflected in the actor’s craggy face as he sinks into the role of abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. All the

Best supporting actor contender, Matthew McConaughey in “Magic Mike”: A nomination would be validation that this actor, who lost all credibility by starring in one inane romantic comedy after another, has truly resurrected his career.

Best supporting actor contender, Matthew McConaughey in “Magic Mike”: A nomination would be validation that this actor, who lost all credibility by starring in one inane romantic comedy after another, has

Best supporting actress contender, Amy Adams in “The Master”: A three-time Oscar nominee, she is tightly controlled as the true believer wife of a religious cult leader. But the movie’s tepid response at the box-office and its early release date might preclude a fourth nod.

Best supporting actress contender, Sally Field in “Lincoln”: As the emotionally fragile Mary Lincoln, she reminds us why we really liked her back when she won her two Oscars. A strong contender in a pretty wobbly category. less

Best supporting actress contender, Sally Field in “Lincoln”: As the emotionally fragile Mary Lincoln, she reminds us why we really liked her back when she won her two Oscars. A strong contender in a pretty ... more

Best supporting actress contender, Helen Hunt in “The Sessions”: Her commitment to playing the role of a surrogate demonstrating sexual intercourse to a severely disabled man includes numerous nude scenes. The Academy will undoubtedly admire her courage, but it’s hard to tell whether this feeling translates into votes.

Photo: Hunt as Cheryl Cohen and John Hawkes as Mark O'Brien in a scene from "The Sessions."

Best supporting actress contender, Helen Hunt in “The Sessions”: Her commitment to playing the role of a surrogate demonstrating sexual intercourse to a severely disabled man includes numerous nude scenes.

Best supporting actress contender, Scarlett Johansson in “Hitchcock”: Her entrance comes relatively late. But when she appears as Janet Leigh in this drama about the making of “Psycho,” the whole movie perks up.

Best supporting actress contender, Scarlett Johansson in “Hitchcock”: Her entrance comes relatively late. But when she appears as Janet Leigh in this drama about the making of “Psycho,” the whole movie

Best supporting actress contender, Jackie Weaver in “Silver Linings Playbook”: This Aussie actress is memorable as a loving mother to a disturbed Bradley Cooper. Scenes with Robert De Niro (right) look as if she was not in the slightest intimidated by him.

Best supporting actress contender, Jackie Weaver in “Silver Linings Playbook”: This Aussie actress is memorable as a loving mother to a disturbed Bradley Cooper. Scenes with Robert De Niro (right) look as

And don’t forget ... Best supporting actress contender, Melissa Leo in "Flight": She’s on the screen for 10 minutes tops. But in that time, this Oscar winner creates an indelible personality for her character, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator delving into a plane crash.